When people apply for a primary medical certificate and it is refused, they have to go to the appeals board. The Minister will be aware that the appeals board was not sitting for quite some time. In my office it has been lately brought to my attention that there is a waiting list of more than two years for people with serious disabilities applying to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal for a primary medical certificate. I found it hard to digest that information. I do not blame the board. What resources will be put in to deal with the backlog once and for all?

I understood the board had been reconstituted.

That is right.

After the resignation of the board that took place a number of years ago, the Department of Finance was successful in reappointing the board. I will raise the issue with the Minister, Deputy Chambers, this week in the context of our budget discussions and see whether there are any issues I can help with. I imagine that the heart of the issue is not lack of funding, but the difficulty of getting the right people to do the work the Deputy referred to. However, I will raise the matter with the Minister as the board provides an important service and without it being in place people cannot be evaluated for a medical certificate to access a car.

The board is in place. The backlog is the issue.

Okay.